Apparatus for raising submerged objects.



110. 812,521. PATBNTBD PEB. 13, 1906.-

c. P1110. l APPARATUS Pon RAISING SUBMERGED OBJECTS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1903.

2 :imma-SHEET 1.

No. 812,521. PATENTE) PEB.. 13, 1906. G.'PINO. APPRATUS POR RAISINGSUBMERGED 0BJECTS.

APPLIoAToN FILED JUNE 5, 190s.

/NVE/VTQH QQQLNQQ* Vim o (W'e Rossi) I ITA] (XW @www CATERINA PINO, OFGENOA, ITALY.

APPARATUS FOR RAISING SUBIVIEFIGED OBJECTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1906.

Application filed June E, 1903. Serial No. 160,279.

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CATERINA PINO, (ne ROSSL) gentlewoman, a subject ofthe King of Italy, residing at 7 Salita Montebello, Genoa, in theKingdom of Italy, have invented a certain new and useful ImprovedApparatus for Raising Submerged Objects, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of this invention is the production of means for raisingsubmerged objects from the sea or other bodies of water by the use ofair or any other gas which is supplied to said means after the same hasbeen attached to the submerged object, while at the same time said meansare easily transported and require very little manipulation in placingthe same in position, are not liable to be damaged, and may be operatedquickly and efficiently. My means for raising submerged objects is inthe nature of a float or inflatable device having platforms or heads towhich flexible waterproof cells are attached, which when expanded orinflated separate said heads and form a series of buoyant tubes whichmay be connected with a vessel or other obj ect at any desired point.

For a full, clear, and exact description of my invention reference maybe had to the following specication and to the accompanying drawings,forming a part thereof, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of the floatembodying a series of cells arranged in parallel side by side. Fig. 2shows the float in a deiiated or collapsed condition, in which conditionthe same is adapted to be attached to the object to be raised orfloated. Fig. 3 is a lan view of the same, showing one of the lieads asbroken away to show the construction and arrangement of the inflatablecells. Fig. 4 is a view showing one form of my improved float attachedto the side of a vessel. Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view showing themeans for attaching the cells to the heads and showing the supply-pipeconnected with said head. Fig. 6 is a view showing a portion ofa floatcomprising two series of superimposed cells. Fig. 7 is a view showingthe manner of connecting the floats to a submerged vessel for raisingthe same.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 1 indicate a series of cellsconsisting of imper meable waterproof fabric, leather, india-rubber, orany other suitable flexible material. These cells are preferably tubularin form, but may be of any preferred shape, according to the use andcircumstances required in different instances. The cells 1 arepreferably arranged in parallel relation to each other side by side andare attached to the heads or platforms 4 in any suitable manner-as, forinstance, as shown yin Fig. 5. The platforms 4 are preferably flat andare of such a shape and design to resist large lifting forces due to theinflation of the cells when submerged. The upper heads or platforms 4are provided with metallic ajutages 11 for connecting the head 4 withsupply-tubes 5, which communicate with the interior of said cells forsupplyjing compressed air or other gases to the same. The lower heads orplatforms are provided with openings 12, which are closed by suitjablecheck-valves 13 to allow the escape of the water which is forced fromthe cells by the air-pressure, but which prevent the rentry of saidwater. The tubes or pipes 5 may radiate from a common union 19, which,union is connected with suitable generators, i accumulators, orcompressors, as indicated at 10, which are preferably carried on a tugor other vessel which may be located above the sunken or submergedobject. The heads 4 are preferably connected by means of flexible tiesor spacers 3, which may consist of chains 3, as shown in Fig. 1, orjointed rods, as shown in Fig. 6, by the numerals 3', which areconnected adjustably with the heads 4 by means of the adjustable boltsor nuts 2. These flexible connections limit the distance between theheads, but allow the heads to approach each other when the cells aredeflated or collapsed for transportation or when sinking the same intoposition.

I preferably arrange the flexible ties or spaces between the rows oftubular cells in order to distribute evenly between the platforms theforces tending to keep the same from undue separation and to provide anarrangement which renders the iioats compact both when in a deflated orin an extended condition.

The platforms 4, to which the cells are attached, are preferablyprovided or connected with bracket-supports 6 or 20, constructed in sucha manner as to be capable of being adapted to the different objects tobe raised..

Obviously by multiplying the number of platforms and providing aplurality of rows of cells, as shown at 15 and 16, the floats will havea much increased power of displacement, and consequently their capacityto raise would thereby be multiplied. Where two series of cells are usedwith only two plat- IOO IIC

will be seen that the flo'ats having a multiple of series of rows may begiven any polygonal form which the circumstances may require,

and therefore the heads are preferably provided with eyes or rings fixedat 'different convenient points. To these eyes or rings chains or'othersuitable connections may be attached, which may unite at a central point18 and there connected with the guide cable or chain 9. For floatshaving a multiple series of rows of cells the air-conduits arepreferably connected inde endently to each row, as indicated at a andli), Fig. 6.

- In the use of my improved float it is obvious that the parts may befolded, so as to occupy a small space for transportation, and may beeasily sunk to the object to be raised and fastened thereto. Whensecured in the requisite position, the cells are inflated by suitablemeans before mentioned, and great buoyant force is thereby asserted toraise the object to which the cells are attached.

I have shown two forms of my improved float; but it will be clearlyunderstood that the parts may be varied in arrangement, number, andshape without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention; but

What I claim, and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is

' 1. A float for raising submerged objects, comprising a series offlexible tubular cells, two platforms or heads to both of which each ofsaid cells is attached, flexible connections for determining thedistance between said heads when the said cells are extended, meansattached to the upper head for guiding and holding the float in positionand means for attaching said float to the submerged object.

2. A oat for raising submerged objects comprising a top and a bottomplatform, a series of cells of waterproof flexible material arranged inseries of rows between said platforms, means arranged between said rowsfor determining the distance between said platforms when the cells areextended and means for inflating said cells.

3. A float for raising submerged objects, comprising a series ofwaterproof flexible tubular cells arranged in parallel rows, platformsor heads between which said cells are secured, flexibleconnectionslocatedbetween said rows of cells for limiting the distancebetween said heads, when the cells are extended, each of said headsbeing provided with openings which communicate with the interior of saidcells, the openings in the upper head being provided with means forconnecting the supply-pipes and the openings in the lower heads beingprovided with chec -valves for the discharge of water.

4. A float for raising submerged objects comprising dividing heads orplatforms,means for securing a series of flexible inflatable tubularcells to said heads in parallel rows, flexible means arranged betweensaid rows of tubular cells for limiting the separation of said heads,means for inflating said cells through openings in said heads, and acheck-valve carried by said heads for allowing the water to bedischarged.

5. A float for raising submerged objects, comprising heads or platforms,a plurality of flexible tubular cells of waterproof material havingtheir open ends attached to said heads, flexible connections arrangedbetween said heads or platforms andbetween said cells for limiting thesaid separation of the heads, means for forcing a fluid into said cells,and check-valves for allowing the escape of water from said elements.

6. A float for raising submerged objects, comprising a plurality ofsuperposed series of parallel waterproof cells, platforms or headsbetween said series of cells, and to which the ends of said cells areattached, flexible connections for determining the distance between saidheads when said cells are extended, means attached to the upper head forguiding and holding the float in position, and means connected to thelower head for attaching said float to a submerged object.

7. A float for raising submerged objects, comprising a plurality ofsuperposed series of parallel waterproof cells, platforms or headsbetween said series of cells, and to which the ends of said cells areattached, flexible connections for determining the distance between saidheads when said cells are extended, and separate air-conduits connectedindependently to each series of cells.

' In testimony whereof1 I have hereunto set my hand, in presence of twosubscribing witnesses, this 4th day of January, 1905.

' CATERINA PINO.

Witnesses:

CAMPO LUIGGI. A. FERRARI.

IOO

